I am going to tell you the obvious, but just in case you are a first time user of a Super Graphic and don't have the owners manual...the bed is released by turning either of the focusing knobs upward (counter clockwise) which are located on the front of the camera, about an inch below the top, and a knob on the left and right sides.

Is there a lens/board on front standard? Does it have a cable release on it?
Yes- remove back and work around bellows carefully to dislodge out of place object causing problem.
No- remove Graflok and ground glass and investigate problem.

I have been looking at mine and I am stumped too. However, some thoughts.

I have a friend that had a graflex service center and has some left over parts stock. He had a whole bag full of front standard release levers. I have been wondering why. This may be the answer.

Looking at my camera it seems that it may be possiable to close the camera with the front standard release lever faceing foward. If so it might get jamed between the rail stop and the rail. It is almost the perfect size to cause your problem.

If there is a lens board in place, I can't see anyway to take the camera apart to solve the problem without breaking something.

The front is not hinged to the camera body, it is hinged to a plate that is bolted to the bottom of the camera body from the inside. (of course) You can look through the keyholes in the bottom and see the two seperate pieces.

If this is the problem there are only two ways I can see to get it open. One would be to remove the bottom leather, and drill out the screws holding the door assembly to the camera body.(I don't know for sure that this would work but it should)
Unfortunately, they come in from the top, so when you remove the leather you will probably see the ends. Drilling a steel screw out of aluminum is very tricky. I expect you will have to take it to a machinist who can fixture it so the bit doesn't walk. I would expect the threads to be distroyed and you could retap the holes and go back with larger screws.

You would also have to completely remove the rear lower (camera's left) hand strap bracket screw. It does double duty and holds the tube that links the rail to the rangefinder. Even with that screw out, there is still a screw holding the tube to the bottom piece that is attached to the door. It is doubtful that you will be able to pull the bottom of the door far enough out to get the top to release without damageing the tube. So you may want to source a replacement tube first.

Beyond all that, you might pull the side leather up, and drill a small access hole 1/4" in the side of the camera (bottom front)oposite the flash connectors, to push the obstruction out of the way, if in fact that is the problem.

Does the door move at all? Or does it feel just like it does when it is latched? Did you close it last? Did it feel funny?

Niel, are you sure that removeing the entire plate that the reloving back is mounted to would not allow accessto the front? Granted it would be limited and one might have to fabricate a special tool to unjam the mechnichism but should allow adaquate inspection espically with a mirror.
Charles

_________________The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

I took another look at mine. The flash socket seems to be riveted in. It might be possiable to pull up the leather and drill the rivets out. then push the socket in and back. I will know more Saturday after I look at one that has been taken apart.

Spent the morning abusing Super Speed Graphic bodies at my friend's that owned the service center. We tried everything to lock one shut, including closing it on the front standard lock lever, it still opened just fine.

As close as we could come was to use the focus lock lever to lock the rail, and then close the camera. It could then be very difficult to open.

His origional advice to put the camera on its back, and push down hard on the knobs while turning them upward seems to be best.

Well, I can report a successful "opening" of my Super Graphic. While looking through the back opening with the revolving back half way rotated, I noticed the front standard was slightly tilted to the rear. I reached in & loosened the locking screws, realigned the standard, & the bed opened normally. I guess the lesson here is to make sure the standard is properly set & locked in the neutral position before closing the camera. My thanks to all of you for your help. Jerry Laderberg